System of distribution



Aug. 7, 1928. 1,680,149

W. S. GOULD SYSTEM OF DISTRIBUTION Filed June 1923 MM r m 4 A TTORNEYJ.

Patented Aug. 7, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM 's. scum), on NEW YORK, N. Y.,

ASSIGNOR, IBY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

GOULD STORAGE BATTERY COMPANY, INC., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATIONOF NEW YORK.

Application filed June 5,

My invention relates to systems of distribution and particularly tostarting, lighting and ignition systems for automobiles and similarpurposes. I 1

Experience has demonstrated that better results are secured in internalcombustion engines by the use of an alternating current for the ignitionthan by the use of pulsating current therefor. Furthermore, theconstruction of alternating current generators is much more simple thanthat of direct current generators and the maintenance is also less dueto the fact that in the use of alternat ing current generators there isno commutator and the brushes therefore, have a much greater life thanthey do in the direct current generator.

I have, therefore, devised an arrangement by the use of which directcurrent may be used for starting the engine and furnishing .ignitionduring the starting period. After .the engine has been started theignition is switched to an alternating current source and disconnectedfrom the .direct current source. I have also provided a means betweenthe alternating current generator and a battery whereby matically.charged the engine.

during the operation of reading the description taken in connection withthe accompanying drawing which shows one embodiment of my invention.

Referring to the drawings, the alternating current generator 1 isconnected to a transformer 2 having a primary 3 and the secondary 4, sorelated as to step up the voltage .of the generator to ignition voltage.The generator 1 is also connected to a transformer 5 having a primary 6and a secondary .7 so arranged that the voltage of the generator isstepped down to a suitable voltage for charging the storage battery 8through the rectifier 9. The switch 10 is placed in the circuit of thesecondary 7 leading to the battery. The battery 8 may be of anywellknown construction. The rectifier 9 is preferably of theelectrolytic type and specifically I prefer to use a tantalum rectifier.

The secondary 4 of the transformer 2 has one side connected with aswitch 11. From the switch 11 a wire 12 leads to the rotating thebattery may be auto- My invention will be better understood by SYSTEM OFDISTRIBUTION.

1923. Serial No.-"643,536.

element 13 of a distributor which in a wellknown manner distributesignition energy to the spark plugs 14' of an engine. The ignitioncircuits 15 are, therefore, connected with the alternating currentsource when the switch 11 closes the contacts 16 and 17.

Between the battery 8 and ignition circults 15 is interposed an ignitioncoil or transformer 19 having an interrupter 18, a prlmary coil 20, anda secondary coil 21. The other end of the primary 20 connects withcontact 22 of the switch 11, and a wire leads from a contact 24 of theswitch 11 to the other side of the battery 8. The secondary 21 of theignition coil 19 is connected with the wire 12 by a wire 25. When theswitch 11 is in engagement with contacts 22 and 24 the ignition circuits15 are connected with the battery 8.

A starting motor 26 is connected to the battery 8 and a starting switch27 is provided for operating the motor 26. The various parts of thesystem may be of any desired construction as my invention is not limitedto the particular construction of any of the elements.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that by the use of my inventiondirect current from the battery may be used to start the engine andfurnish ignition during the start ing period. After the engine has beenstarted the ignition voltage from the transformer 2 may be impressed onthe ignition circuits 15 by moving thecontrol switch 11 into engagementwith contacts 16 and 17.

If it should be desired to use an alternating current generator havingnormal running voltage high enough for ignition purposes, thetransformer 2 may be omitted and the relation of the primary andsecondary of transformer 5 so modified as to step down the generatorvoltage to a voltage suitable for charging the battery.

Many changes may be made in the arrangement of the apparatus withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a system of the character described, the combination of analternating current generator, a battery, an ignition circuit, a. lowratio step-up transformer for impressing alternating current voltagefrom said generator on said ignition circuit, a high ratio step-uptransformer for impressing ignition voltage on said ignition circuitfrom the bat- L tery, and means for charging said battery from saidalternating current generator.

2, In a system of the character described, the combination of analternating current generator, a battery, an ignition circuit, means forstepping up the voltage of said alternating current generator toignition voltage, means for impressing said alternating current voltageon said ignition circuit, means'separate from the first means forimpressing ignition voltage from said battery on said ignition circuitand means for charging said battery from said alternating currentsource.

3. In a system of the character described, the combination of a sourceof alternating current, a battery, an ignition circuit, a transformerfor stepping up the voltage of the source to ignition voltage, atransformer for stepping down the voltage of the source suitable forcharging the battery, a rectifier connected between said secondtransformer .and the battery, means for'stepping up the voltage betweenthe battery and the ignition circuit, and means for impressingalternating current or direct current voltage on said ignition circuit.

4. In a system of distribution, the combination of an alternatingcurrent source, a battery, an ignition circuit, a step-down transformerbetween the source and the battery, a low ratio step-up transformerbetween the source and the ignition circuit, a high ratio step-uptransformer between the battery and the ignition circuit and .a switchfor optionally connecting the two last-mentioned transformers toenergize the ignition circuit.

5. In a system of distribution, the combination of an alternatingcurrent source, a battery, an ignition circuit, a step-down vtransformerbetween the source and the battery, a low ratio step-up transformerbetween the source and the ignition circuit, a high ratiostep-upttransformer between the battery and the ignition circuit, aswitch for optionally connecting the two last-mentioned transformers toenergize the ignition circuit, and a rectifier in the circuit betweenthe first-mentioned transformer and the battery.

WILLIAM S. GOULD.

